PRP: How was the band formed?
Dan: Joey and I met Corey when Stuck Mojo opened for LOA in Europe during
the winter of 96'. When we decided not to do a record w/ Whitfield (Crane, ex-Ugly Kid Joe) in the winter of 98', Alan wanted to try singing for the band. Obviously we needed a bass player if we were going to attempt this and we called Corey. We rehearsed for a few weeks with Alan on vocals and went into the studio to record some of the new songs and came to the conclusion it wasn't going to work, so LOA was broken up. When Corey and I decided we wanted to start a new project, Joey also figured it was time for something new and we began writing the first StereoMud songs in New york. Things were coming together fast and we started to search for a singer (which is definitely not an easy task!) Corey went home to Atlanta and we all got on the phone to find a singer. When the word was out, Erik got in touch with Corey and learned a few of the songs in Atlanta. They put one of them on a 4-track tape and mailed Joey and I a copy. We loved what we heard and were on a flight to Atlanta within a few days. After rehearsing for a few days we recorded our first demo in Atlanta and all agreed we had something special going on. The band was formed, almost...... Once we had about 10 songs, the band decided that we could use another guitarist to augment the sound. I called up my friend Mark Chaussee (Fight/Danzig) who came in and played with us for about two months. Things didn't work out with Mark and we tried out a bunch of other guys. It turned out that John, who is a friend of mine from Long Island, fit the bill perfectly and our line-up was complete.
PRP: Why did you Stereomud as the name? Any "inside" secrets behind it?
Erik: After the band formed, one of the hardest things for us to come up with was a name. None of us could agree on anything so a friend of Dan and Joey's, Billy Milano, from SOD, told us we should call the band Stereomud. After laughing about it for a little while, we said 'what the fuck!'. The name stuck.
PRP: Do you think that the fact that the band has two ex-members of Life of Agony and one ex-member of Stuck Mojo may help you in the future on stuff like entering in festivals line-up's or even getting a record deals?
Erik: Let me start by saying any contact in this business is a big help, so yes, the fact that the guys in the band have already been around the block (so to speak) should help in the future. But ultimately it's gonna take this band proving itself just like everybody else. The only difference is a lot of people have already seen some of our faces.
PRP: For Erik: How did you manage to get the singer slot for a band that includes so many rock stars?
Erik: I can't think of how to answer this without coming across like an asshole. I would like to believe that even though I personally have never been "signed" that all the years I have spent rehearsing in past bands paid off. Ultimately, I would like to think I am in this band because I have something to offer the people I play with and something to sing about in a way people wanna hear.
PRP: Who's the lyricist of the band, and what do you usually write about? More personal issues, or something that most people would comprehend?
Erik: Corey and I both write lyrics together to most of the songs we have written. There are a few that Corey wrote and a few that I wrote. Topics... I don't believe in writing anything that I haven't experienced or that I believe in. We always try to write lyrics that people can relate to and interpret in their own way.
PRP: Any bands you'd like to tour with? Maybe "Among Thieves"? Hehehehe.
Erik: Sure, I would love to tour with Among Thieves, and any other band for that matter. We have been rehearsing for the last year and a half, playing shows here and there, some with Sevendust. That was a hell of a lot of fun. We just want to play.
PRP: When can we expect a full-length album from Stereomud?
Erik: If all things run smooth, (and they rarely do) we should be recording the album sometime late this summer, early fall, so we will probably be released sometime early next year. But we should be touring long before the album comes out.
PRP: All time favorite band from each member?
Erik: That's hard to answer, we like all kinds of music and a lot of fucking bands.
PRP: With the whole Metallica Vs. Napster thing going on, do you have any opinions about mp3 and/or programs like Napster to share with us?
Erik: Personally I think the internet (MP3's and Napster) is a great tool for people to hear new music. I have a feeling that in the future, there will be an agreement between artists, the companies putting the music up, and the fans that will make everyone happy. It's not fair for any musician to put out their heart and soul into something, and not be rewarded for it. And that's why I think there needs to be laws regulating the distribution online, but it should be done at a level that everyone can afford. I think in the future that bands will sell the majority of their albums online as downloads and a lot less in the stores.
PRP: Is internet promotion better, worse, or just as important as "real life" promotion?
Erik: Like I said in the last question, I think the internet is a great tool. I try to go online and actually talk to some of the fans that post messages on our website asking questions. I don't always get back to everybody, but I think it's a good way to get information out and also a great way to interact with fans. But nothing will ever take the place of coming off stage and having people ask for your autograph or look you in the eye and tell you 'you just kicked their fucking ass'.
PRP: What's the song writing process like?
Erik: Some of our songs have come together in a day, some of them have taken considerably longer. Most of our songs start with a riff and grow into a lot of other riffs that are picked at until we feel like we've got it right. Corey and I come up with the melody ideas and lyrics together to just about every song, with the exception of a few that Corey has written on his own or the melody ideas that I have come up with on my own. For the most part, Corey is the head chef (so to speak) but ultimately, every song is a collaboration by every member.
PRP: Has anyone of you ever wanted to piss during a set? What have you done, or what would you do if a situation like this ever happen to you?
Erik: I can't speak for the other guys, but I usually piss before I go onstage. But one time, in a different band, I threw up in the middle of a song while I was singing. I have it on videotape, it's pretty funny to watch, because you can see it when I run off stage, throw up in a trash can, and run back on stage to start singing again. I only missed one line in the song but my facial expression was pretty fucking hilarious!!
PRP: What's currently spinning inside your cd players?
Erik: Incubus.
PRP: Is there anything you guys do that puts you apart from other bands in your scene?
Erik: I think every band tries to do whatever they can to set themselves apart. For us, I think the first thing would be the fact that Corey and I sing together so much, utilizing our southern blues upbringing, even though most of our songs are angry and not sad. We just enjoy writing and playing and hope people are enjoying it and will want to buy a record and come see it live.
PRP: Has Stereomud ever been approached by any record labels?
Erik: Yes, we are in the process of showcasing right now.
PRP: Have any of the band's members ever cried while watching Oprah?
Erik: Fuck Oprah, I watch Jerry Springer! Haha.
PRP: Give me the line-up of an imaginary band that you think would be better than any other group out there?
Erik: I have no idea, but I know when Corey and his 2 brothers play together, its pretty fucking scary to imagine what it would be like if they did it on a full time basis.
PRP: Do you guys think that Stereomud falls into the "new metal" category?
Erik: I don't know what category we fall in. We're a rock band. Metal, whatever.. it's so broad now and I hate some of the labels that have been placed on music anyway.
PRP: Any favorite quote?
Erik: "Spread the MUD!" I tell that to all our fans that I talk to online.
PRP: In your opinion, is Stereomud completely ready to sign a record deal with a major label and tour the world?? When I ask you this, I want to know not only technically ready, but emotionally ready as well. In other words, would you be ready for fame and pressure?
Erik: Yes, we have been working towards that goal for a year and a half, and I would say we are completely ready to sign a deal, release a record and go on tour.
PRP: Any last comments or thanks?
Erik: Yea, if you haven't checked us out, go to stereomud.com and let us know what you think. I would also like to thank a new friend in WV for being patient with me while I did this interview. I had a good time talking to you online, and I hope to see you soon. Thanks pimprockpalace.
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